The Guarantee

Several years ago I thinned out my collection of recipe books. While limited space was a factor, the reality was I seldom used any of them! David wrote, "I have set the LORD always before me" (Psalm 16:8). When preparing a special dish or assembling something new, it is most helpful to focus on and follow the instructions. David continues with these confident words: "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Verse 11). Even when intently following the recipe or instructions, a good outcome isn't always guaranteed. The Lord, however, never leads us astray; His right hand never fails to produce His intended purpose. This was David's confidence and it must be our own! Honestly, I rarely try new recipes; I tend to stick-with what I know to be good and historically successful. So it is with the formula for promised fullness of joy as guaranteed by The Lord Himself. Like David, it begins and ends with a personal choice: "I have set the LORD always before me." Keeping the Lord first and foremost in our life is ... the guarantee.

Seeking Hearts

This older-men finds itself looking for things too often! Mister Bill frequently comments on the danger of a "flat surface" in our house - it seems to just call for something to occupy it. Usually, it's that flat surface where I'll find what I'm ever-looking for ... among the stack. We read in 1 Chronicles 16, "O give thanks to the LORD, call on His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]." (Verses 8-11 AMP). Note the verbs ... give, make, sing, speak, glory, let, seek - they all have a common focus, a shared object ... that is, The LORD. The Hebrew word LORD (all caps) refers to Jehovah - the existing one. It is difficult for us "created beings" to comprehend one who is UN-created or self-existing yet this is the great and grand truth of the soul's truest affection and desire. We seek after so many things; we give to, make, sing of, speak to, glory in created things ultimately shoving Jehovah from His rightful place. A. W. Tozer suggested David's greatest attribute was that he was "preoccupied with God." I love that description because it should be said of every child of God! With what or whom are you preoccupied? Who or what possesses your time each day? Let me encourage us all to be people as described in 1 Chronicles 16:11 - people of... seeking hearts.

Adrift

The summer heat usually takes me back to a sweet time of floating on the lake! While Mister Bill fished from the dock, I floated occupied a float nearby. At some point, I heard Mister Bill's voice, "You're drifting out too far." There is a great danger in spiritual drifting! The disciplined life of the Believer demands mindfulness, attentiveness, consciousness, watchfulness with regard to the pursuit of holiness. The apostle Peter warned Jesus' followers of false teachings that quickly creep in without spiritual diligence to God's "exceeding great and precious promises." (2 Peter 1:4). When we nod-off spiritually, imitators of Truth begin to chip away at the foundation of Truth we have in Christ and; imitations such as mere morality, good deeds and do-it-yourself strengths. There is, of course, an anti-toxin, a counter-agent to the enemies' deceits – “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control endurance; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love." (v.5-7). There is significant difference in drifting and rowing steadily toward something; and, when we drift, we never drift in the right direction!  Are you living according to The Truth of God's Word? Is it your foundation and guide? What are you doing to remain true-to-truth? It is paramount as a child of God, we are faithful to Truth, or else we will find ourselves spiritually ... adrift. 

Best View

The twins had never flown so Mister Bill planned a surprise flight from DC to home. Instantly, we recognized the apprehension on Dennis’s face! We boarded the plane – Dennis announced he would not sit next to the window, demanded the shade be pulled, refused anything to eat, then buried his head in a book. With twenty-five minutes left in flight, he settled down and even asked to sit next to the window. His final analysis was that flying was pretty cool! Besides God Himself, what do you suppose inspired the psalmist's words, “So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory.” (Psalm 63:2). As we flew above the clouds, looking down on them [rather than up], I considered our limited view of life here. The struggles often make us see and focus on the underside, shading and distorting the view. Almighty God, however, sees us and the design of our lives, knowing each one’s potential and purpose. Oh, that we beheld ourselves in His view, surrendering completely to His sovereignty in all our circumstances, and how He plans to use them as runways for our growth. Oh, to embrace such a view of life! We were happy to have feet-on-the-ground, and feet-on-the-ground is our calling until Christ returns. While we shouldn't live with our head-in-the-clouds, hope in Jesus gives us an unwavering and steadfast other-world (Kingdom) view. That is always the ... best view!

Preach To You

Not everyone aspires to nor is called to be a preacher. My Dad planned to be a journalist and that was his pursuit when he left home for college. God, of course, had other plans for him! May I suggest, however, we are all called to ... preach. Although a shepherd then a king, hear David preach in Psalm 3: "You, O LORD, are a shield for me ... Salvation belongs to the LORD." (from Verses 3 and 8). David's circumstances were dire and the skeptics mocked him for his trust in God; what a temptation for fear and doubt to creep in. What does David do? He preaches ... to himself the great truths about the God he loves. On previous occasions God had heard his cry for help (V.4) ... had struck and shattered the power of his enemies (V.7). I suspect most of us have not entertained any notion of preaching to ourself but clearly David made it a practice! Paul David Tripp writes: "If you’re going to live in a culture of skeptics, you have to constantly preach to yourself the truths of the gospel of who God is, and what he does." Nothing disarms the enemy and brings deliverance for the child of God like truth as given by God in His Word. Make yourself an audience of one ... one that preaches and practices truth. Preach truth to yourself!